Relocation by Numbers

FIRE Number Calculator

How Much Do You Need to Retire Early?

Your FIRE number is the portfolio size you need so your investments can support your lifestyle indefinitely. The most common method is the 4% rule: divide your annual expenses by 0.04, or multiply by 25. At $48,000 per year in expenses, your FIRE number is $1.2 million.

Enter your income, spending, state, and investing assumptions below to calculate your personal FIRE number and estimated years to financial independence.

Assumptions updated: March 2026
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Estimates the portfolio you need to cover your full lifestyle indefinitely at your chosen withdrawal rate.

Calculator inputs
Enter your income, spending, and investing assumptions.
That's $48,000/yr
Leave blank to estimate from after-tax income.
Market volatility assumption
Conservative 5% / 4% · Moderate 7% / 5.5% · Aggressive 9% / 7%
How moving could change your timeline
Geography may be one of the most powerful levers in a FIRE plan. Same income, same returns, different cost of living.
Annual: $33,600
MOVE IMPACT
Current FIRE age68
FIRE age after move50
Could bring FIRE forward by18 yrs

Your FIRE milestone

At your current pace you could reach financial independence at age 68, in about 38 years, around 2064.

FIRE Number
$3,066,819
Based on 4% withdrawal rate
Years Until FIRE
38 yrs
Est. FIRE year: 2064
Estimated FIRE Age
68
Savings Rate
18.4%
$58,845 est. net · 34.6% tax rate
Progress to FIRE
2%
$75,000 invested · On track for FIRE at 68
How this estimate works
Estimates the portfolio you need to cover your full lifestyle indefinitely at your chosen withdrawal rate. Returns use your selected volatility preset. Inflation and salary growth compound annually. This is a planning estimate, not financial or tax advice.
Decision engine

Your fastest path to financial independence

You're currently projected to reach your goal in 38 yrs. Here are the changes that would get you to financial independence fastest.

Biggest lever
Move to the lower-cost location

Moving to a lower-cost location reduces your living costs and the retirement target your portfolio needs to support.

Estimated improvement18 years sooner
What would move the needle most

1. Move to the lower-cost location

18 yrs sooner

Lower geographic costs can shorten the path materially.

FIRE age
50
Full FIRE age
50
Years to FIRE
20 yrs

2. Raise savings rate to 28%

9 yrs sooner

More of your income working for you sooner.

FIRE age
59
Full FIRE age
59
Years to FIRE
29 yrs

3. Lower spending by 10%

7 yrs sooner

A smaller target means compounding has less ground to cover.

FIRE age
61
Full FIRE age
61
Years to FIRE
31 yrs

These are planning estimates, not guarantees. Small changes in return assumptions, taxes, and future spending can materially change the result.

Accounts worth considering
Fidelity
Brokerage
Zero-fee index funds and commission-free trades. A solid foundation for a long-term FIRE portfolio.
Learn more →
Vanguard
Index funds
The original low-cost index fund platform. Built for buy-and-hold FIRE investors.
Learn more →
M1 Finance
Automated
Automated investing with custom portfolios. Good for hands-off savers on the path to FI.
Learn more →

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on your FIRE mode, not paid placement.

Frequently asked questions about FIRE numbers

What is a FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the total portfolio value you need so you can live off investment returns without working. It is calculated by dividing your expected annual expenses by your planned withdrawal rate. Using the 4% rule, your FIRE number is 25 times your annual spending.
How do I calculate my FIRE number?
Take your expected annual expenses in retirement and divide by your withdrawal rate. For example: $60,000 annual expenses ÷ 0.04 (4% rule) = $1,500,000 FIRE number. You can also multiply annual expenses by 25 to get the same result.
Is the 4% rule still valid?
The 4% rule is a commonly used planning starting point, based on historical research showing a 4% annual withdrawal from a diversified portfolio has historically lasted 30+ years. More conservative planners use 3% to 3.5%, particularly for early retirees with longer time horizons. The right rate depends on your risk tolerance, expected retirement length, and portfolio mix.
How does location affect my FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is directly tied to your annual spending. If you move to a lower cost-of-living city or a state with no income tax, your annual expenses in retirement may be lower — which means a smaller FIRE number and potentially years shaved off your timeline.
Do I need to include taxes in my FIRE number?
Yes, ideally. In retirement, withdrawals from taxable accounts and traditional 401(k) or IRA accounts are subject to income tax. Your effective tax rate in retirement depends on your withdrawal strategy, account mix, and state of residence. This calculator applies a state-specific tax model to help you plan more realistically.
What is the difference between FIRE, Lean FIRE, and Barista FIRE?
Traditional FIRE targets a portfolio that fully covers all living expenses. Lean FIRE uses a smaller number by targeting a frugal lifestyle, typically under $40,000 per year. Barista FIRE is a partial retirement strategy where you cover some expenses with part-time income so your portfolio needs to be smaller. Each approach has a different FIRE number.